Talking Horses: today's best bets and all the latest racing news

Toormore can be backed at even money in today’s Craven Stakes at Newmarket. Photograph: Julian Herbert/Action Images

Today's best bets, by Greg Wood

Toormore was the best juvenile of 2013 and Richard Hannon, his trainer, suggested at Newmarket on Wednesday that he will be ready to do himself justice in the Craven Stakes this afternoon. The market, however, does not seem convinced, and having drifted from odds-on on Wednesday evening, Toormore can now be backed at even-money for Britain's principal trial for the 2,000 Guineas.

Timeform's ratings offer some explanation, however, as Toormore has a 3lb penalty to carry as a result of his success in the National Stakes at The Curragh last year and the figures from Halifax suggest that Be Ready (4.05), the second-favourite, has only a couple more pounds to find to give Toormore a serious race.

Saeed bin Suroor's string has been in fine form all year – he beat Mike de Kock to be the top trainer at the Dubai Carnival – and True Story's win in the Feilden here on Wednesday suggested that his horses have returned to England in similar heart. He lost his maiden status in a Listed event at Doncaster last September, a sign of the regard in which he is held, and is worth an interest at around 2-1 to confirm himself a high-class three-year-old.

Hamza(nap 3.30) was third home in the Prix de l'Abbaye on his final start last season and also put up an excellent performance in a handicap over today's course and distance. He ran well at Meydan on World Cup night too and can get the better of Aljamaaheer, who drops back to sprinting for the first time since his juvenile debut three seasons ago.

Seagull Star (2.55) had Johann Strauss back in fourth place when making a successful debut at Newmarket last season. He has not been seen since, while Johann Strauss has gone on to run well in Group One company, but at the prices, William Haggas's runner can be backed to confirm the excellent impression of his debut win.

At Cheltenham, Cailin Annamh (3.15) has form on decent ground and looks the class act in a fiercely competitive handicap, having lined up against Quevega in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. At Ripon, meanwhile, Maven (next best 3.40), who put up the best performance of her career over today's course and distance last summer, can build on her promising sixth place at Doncaster's Lincoln meeting.

Tipping competition, day four

Our winners so far:

Monday

Fast Shot 7-1

Huntsmans Close 20-1

Shillito 8-1

Tuesday

Revani 12-1

Miss Ballantyne 13-2

Realize 6-1

Wednesday

Buywise 5-2

Sandiva 7-2

Danzeno 6-1

And our leader is:

moidadem +13

… who has had the last four winners and was perfect on Wednesday. He leads by a point from goofs, who has had six losers in a row.

This week's prize is a copy of the RFO Flat Racing Guide 2014, packed with insights into the summer game from experts like Steve Mellish, Steffan Edwards and Richard Birch, plus a list of suggested horses to follow and detailed results from last season. It retails for £8.99 and, if you don't win, you can buy it here.

As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today but you will start on -9.

In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.